Speech recognition outcomes in Mandarin-speaking cochlear implant users with fine structure processing

Conclusion: Mandarin-speaking adults can use the Fine Structure Processing (FSP) coding strategy as well as the Continuous Interleaved Sampling (CIS +) coding strategy. No loss in performance was observed after switch-over. Tone identification improves over time with the FSP coding strategy, which is of benefit to tonal-language users. After some time, fine structure was preferred. Objective: This study aimed to determine speech perception, tone perception, and the subjective preferences of Mandarin-speaking adults who received the FSP coding strategy, at upgrade from the CIS +coding strategy. Methods: Thirteen Mandarin-speaking subjects were tested at switch-over from CIS +to the FSP coding strategy similar to 1-month after switch-over, 2-months after switch-over, and 3-months after switch-over with the Mandarin Hearing in Noise Test (M-HINT), the Mandarin Tone Identification in Noise Test (M-TINT), and a visual analogue scale assessing Sound and Speech Assessment (SSA). Results: There were no significant differences in the M-HINT between presentation levels (62dB SPL vs 65dB SPL), over time, nor when compared to the CIS +coding strategy. Tone perception improved significantly over time with the FSP coding strategy. Subjects rated the FSP coding strategy with the OPUS 2 as significantly more ' full ' and ' rich ' than with the CIS +coding strategy after 3-months.